title: Involving family systems in critical care nursing: challenges and opportunities.
abstract: The literature indicates that involvement of families in critical care settings is effective in meeting the needs of families and patients during a medical crisis. This article presents basic concepts from family systems theory, including cultural considerations useful in developing nursing care plans that integrate family involvement in the care of critically ill patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, College of Health and Public Affairs, School of Social Work, PO Box 163358, Orlando, FL 32816-3358, USA. leon@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013598:Systems Theory; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*